Fabric-folding device.



H. S. BURNHAM.

FABRIG FOLDING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 13, 1913.

1,081,206, Patented Dec. 9, 1913. fi

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FFICE.

HARRY S. BURNI-IAM, 0F BRANT, NEW YORK.

FABRIC-FOLDING DEVICE.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, IIAKRY S. BURNI-IAM, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Brant, in the county of Erie and State of New York, have invented a new and Inn proved Fabric-Folding Device, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.,

This invention relates to fabric folding devices for use with sewing machines and the like, and has reference more particularly to a device of this class which includes continuously movable means for rolling under the edge of a fabric to form a hem.

The invention also relates to a folding device of this kind which comprises a pair of rotary, continuously operable members which turn in contiguous edges of two thicknesses of fabric to form a hem which is subsequently stitched.

The invention also relates to the provision of means for turning in the edges of a seam preparatory to stitching the edges.

An object of the invention is to provide a simple and efficient fabric folding device for use in sewing machines, in forming hems by means of which one or two thicknesses of fabric can be inturned at the edges to form a hem preparatory to stitching, which is rapid and positive in operation, and which is exceedingly simple in construction and will not readily become injured or disarranged, which can be associated with different types of sewing mechanism, and can be driven directly from the sewing mechanism.

A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the class in question, by means of which the edges of a seam can be turned in and if so desired, stitched, thereby lending to the seam a neat appearance, and preventing the same from raveling, by means of which seams can be finished Without the use of a seam binder, tape or extra binding, and the use of which results in thin,

'fiat, finished seams adapted for light, as well as heavy garments.

The invention consists in the construction and combination of parts to be more fully described hereinafter and particularly set forth in the claims.

Figure 1 is a plan View of part of a sewing machine having an embodiment of my invention applied thereto, portions of the sewing machine being shown in cross section; Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of the Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed March 13, 1913.

Patented Dec. 9, 1913. Serial No. 753,974.

device; Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the folding attachment; and Fig. i is an enlarged. transverse section on the line 1 1 of Fig. 2.

Before proceeding to a more detailed explanation of my invention, it should be clearly understood that while this folding device can be used for different purposes; for example, in forming hems at the edges of single or double thicknesses of fabric it is particularly useful for finishing seams. As a general rule, a seam in certain kinds of garments is formed by running a line of stitching near the edges of two superposed layers of fabric. hen these are then stretched out, a smooth seam is formed at the outside, while two unfinished edges run along the seam at the inside. Very frequently, these edges will ravel and are unsightly. My attachment provides means for rapidly and positively turning in these free edges of the seam so that a second line of stitching can be run along the seam to secure the edges permanently in their folded, inturned positions, thus finishing the seam neatly and strongly Referring more particularly to the drawing, I have shown for example an embodiment of my invention which has a base 10 removably mounted by means of a screw 11 or any other suitable means upon the table 12 of a sewing machine of conventional type. The latter has a presser foot 13 and is driven by a belt 14. The remaining structural features of the sewing mechanism need not be described and are not shown. A shaft 13 is journaled in a bearing 15 carried by the table of the machine, and a second bearing 16 mounted upon the base 10. The shaft extends from the belt 14 across the table of the machine to the base 10, which is arranged near the needle mechanism and in line with the direction of travel of the fabric or other work 17. At the opposite end the shaft has a pulley 18 engaged by the belt 14 which when running drives the shaft 13.

Arranged transversely to the bearing 16, the base 10 carries a double bearing 18 in which are journaled two superposed edge turners 19 of tapered form and of angular cross section. They are shown of rectangular cross section,but it will be understood that this constructive detail can be varied if sodesired, so that, for example, the turners may be fluted or of other angular cross section. They are arranged with their axes at an angle with each other, and converge slightly to their points or free ends. The lower edge turner extends rearwardly beyond the bearing, and has a gear 20 in mesh with a similar gear 21 mounted at the projecting rear end of the upper turner 19. In addition, the lower turner 19 has at the projecting rear extremity a bevel gear 22 in mesh with a bevel gear 23 carried by the end of the shaft 18, so that as the shaft is rotated, the two turners 19 will be actuated and rotated in opposite directions.

Fabric guide 2 1 is pivotally mounted by means of a stud 2st or in any other suitable manner upon the base 10 and extends longitudinally of the edge turners. It is of tapered form and has at the end adjacent the presser foot two interposed concave portions 25, each partly surrounding one of the edge turners, and separated by a tapered wall or partition 26. The edges of the concave parts of the guide are arranged respectively above and under the upper and lower edge turners as clearly shown in Fig. at. A leaf spring 27 fastened. by means of rivets 28 or in any other manner adapted for the purpose upon the base, normally presses the guide toward and against the edge turners. An adjustable blade 29 is mounted by means of set screws 30 or otherwise upon the base 10 at the side of the edge turner remote from the guide. It extends longitudinally of the edge turners and is spaced thereform any suitable distance for a purpose which will appear hereinafter.

The device is shown in the accompanying drawing in operation to finish a seam of the character described. The fabric 17 consists of two layers 31 and 32 superposed and joined by a line of stitching 33 near one edge to form the seam. As the fabric passes through the device to the presser foot, the edges of fabric are pressed between the guide 2% and the edge turners, the guide serving to direct the edges inwardly around the edge turners, which by their rotary motion and continuous operation, force the edges inwardly between them as is shown in Fig. a. The amount of each edge which is in this manner inturned is limited by the blade 29 which engages the seam at the line of stitching 33. The sewing mechanism then forms a second line of stitching 3a to secure the inturned edges of the seam. It will be understood that the blade 29 can be adjusted to regulate the width of edge turned in and in accordance with the seam which is being finished.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. In a device of the class described, a pair of superposed converging rotating members for engaging and turning the free edges of a seam about and between said members.

2. In a device of the class described, a pair of superposed rotary members for engaging and turning the edges of a seam about and between said members preparatory to stitching the seam, and means for continuously rotating said members in opposite directions.

3. A device of the class described, comprising a continuously operable rotary member of tapered form and angular cross section for engaging continuously and turning under the edge of a piece of fabric, and a concave guide for directing the edge of the fabric to and around said member.

A device of the class described, com prising a continuously driven rotary member of tapered form and angular cross section for engaging and turning under the edge of a piece of fabric, a concave guide for directing the edge of the fabric to and around said member, and means for resiliently pressing said guide toward said member.

5. A device of the class described, comprising a continuously driven rotary member of tapered form and angular cross section for engaging and turning under the edge of a piece of fabric, a concave guide for directing the edge of the fabric to and around said member, means for resiliently pressing said guide toward said member, and means for limiting the width of fabric turned under by said first member.

6. A device of the class described, comprising a pair of tapered, continuously operable members of angular cross section, said members converging toward each other at their free ends, means for continuously rotating said members in opposite directions, and means for limiting the amount of fabric turned in by said members.

7. A device of the class described, comprising a pair of tapered members of angular cross section, converging toward each other at their free ends, said members being mounted to rotate, means for rotating said members in opposite directions, a movable guide associated with said members and having concave parts, each adapted to receive one of said members, a spring for pressing said guide toward said members, a blade adapted to engage between two thicknesses of fabric at a seam to limit the amount of edge turned in by each of said members at the seam, in combination with a sewing machine, and means for driving said members from said sewing machine.

of fabric seamed together adjacent said name to this specification in the presence of edges; and badjustzble meansI engagedd betwo subscribing Witnesses. tween the "a rio an ositionec interine iate T 3 the said sezun and sai d rotary means and co- HARRi BUhNHAM' acting with the said seam and whereby the Witnesses: size of the infold is controlled. ALICE M. BURNHAM,

In testimony whereof I have signed my MARY BELLE RANsoM.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

